Piano, finally

David Reidy
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Piano Finally is a podcast by an old bloke who is learning the piano, finally. I cover the process of learning the piano and music theory as an adult learner. I also review piano books, hardware and other materials from an adult learner's perspective.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 90 - The Blue Mountains Music Festival

    Welcome to show number 90! This week, we are taking a look at the 29th edition of the Blue Mountains Music Festival.If this is your first time listening, I hope you find the show interesting and consider subscribing. If you're a regular listener, thank you for your ongoing support. In This Episode: The Making of Synthesiser V's Choir Voices: I discuss the AI voice tool, Synthesiser V 2 Pro by Dreamtonics,which I’ve been using to create isolated practice tracks for the choir. I share my thoughts on ethical AI training in the arts and review a video showcasing the small team—including Kanru, Junko, and Yongxin—who ethically recorded and built these choir voices.Watch the video here: The Making of Synthesiser V's Choir Voices.Backstage Support: A short essay on the support networks we all rely on as musicians. While touring professionals might have massive crews providing electricity to stadium events like Taylor Swift's Eras tour,amateur musicians rely heavily on the forbearance and support of their families and friends while practising those repetitive scales.Festival Review: A roundup of the fantastic acts I managed to see at the Blue Mountains Music Festival, including:The Ocelots: Twin brothers from Ireland playing guitar, harmonica, keyboard, and flute. Visit their YouTube Channel.Mary Coughlan: Described as Ireland's greatest female vocalist, who played songs from her new album.Check out her channel.Sunday Lemonade: An incredibly energetic local singer-songwriter duo. Visit their website.The Spooky Men's Chorale: A hilarious 17-piece a capella group that had the audience singing along to Taylor Swift/Tina Turner mashups. Visit their YouTube Channel.To learn more about the festival, visit: https://www.bmff.org.au/.Progress: A quick reality check on finding the time to practice this week, plus a short snippet from my recent vocal lesson.Get in Touch: If you're learning an instrument or singing, I’d love to hear how you are managing your practice time and what challenges you are facing. Contact me at david@pianofinally.show or visit www.pianofinally.show. The contents of this podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy, but these show notes were created by Gemini. Send me a text message. You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

    15 min

  2. MAR 8

    Episode 89 - Practise Together

    G'day everyone! I'm David Reidy, and welcome to show number 89 of Piano, finally. This week, I'm exploring the reliability of practising with others, reviewing a YouTube progress video, and diving into some fascinating AI vocal software. Recording Under the Storm This episode comes to you amidst some local connectivity challenges. A large electrical storm recently knocked out both my landline and 5G internet, which might delay the posting of this show until I can reach a stable connection. Community and Music Lessons Despite a busy week adjudicating the Year 7 public speaking semi-finals, I managed to attend my regular singing and piano lessons. Working with Sussane, my voice teacher, I’ve successfully moved up another full tone—eyeing a specific E in an upcoming piece. I’ve found that having others involved, like my teachers Devi and Sussane, makes me much more likely to block out practice time and follow through on my plans. YouTube Review: Matthew Cawood I took a look at a video by Matthew Cawood where he reacts to a beginner pianist named Dinky. Dinky documented her seven-month journey from zero, and while her playing is technically entertaining, Matthew suggests she may be learning by rote rather than building a long-term foundation. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZxQY4uskVcSoftware Review: Synthesiser V Studio 2 Pro I’ve been having a lot of fun with Synthesiser V Studio 2 Pro from Dreamtonics. This AI voice tool uses machine learning and properly licensed samples of real people to generate vocal tracks from music scores. I’ve been using it to create practice audio for my community choir, specifically generating choir voices for Stevie Nicks' "Edge of Seventeen". Explore Synthesiser V: https://dreamtonics.com/Progress Report It was another difficult week to fit in as much practice as I wanted. I am still working on chord progressions, now playing octaves in the left hand with chords higher up in the right. The Fmaj7 chord remains a particular hurdle. I’m also trying an idea from Tom Donald: Tom Donald Video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbL IFFNWHO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbL IFFNWHO) The Blue Mountains Music Festival is coming up next weekend, and I hope to share some reviews from the event soon! The contents of this podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy, but these show notes were created by me, Gemini.Send me a text message. You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

    17 min

  3. MAR 1

    Episode 88 - Fast Car

    G'day everyone! I'm David Reidy, and welcome to show number 88 of Piano, finally. In this episode, I'm branching out into some new musical territory while navigating the usual challenges of finding practice time. Singing Lessons and Choir Progress I've officially started singing lessons with Sussanne to help with my new choir. We're working on Tracey Chapman’s "Fast Car," which fits comfortably in my range. Our upcoming concert features 24 songs performed "off book," so I’ve been using my commute to learn lyrics via an Apple Music playlist. TwoSet Violin Returns The Australian violin duo, TwoSet Violin, is back from their break and has announced a world tour. I’ve secured tickets for their Sydney show. You can check out their tour dates here: https://worldtour.twosetviolin.com/. Rick Beato: Guitar Classics on Piano I recently enjoyed a video from Rick Beato featuring Pierre Piscitelli playing piano versions of legendary guitar songs by artists like Guns N' Roses and Metallica. It’s a great watch for anyone looking to adapt songs from other instruments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqgQamc0iXI. Rethinking Practice Habits With a busy schedule, I’m rearranging my home setup. I'm moving my Roland FP-90X into a more high-traffic area so I can squeeze in short bursts of practice throughout the day. Theatre Review: "Purpose" I attended the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Purpose at the Wharf Theatre. It’s a gripping family drama set against the backdrop of the US Civil Rights movement. Despite a few staging questions, it was a thoroughly entertaining three hours. You can find more about STC's season here: https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/whats-on/productions/2026/purpose. Progress Update This week’s practice focused on chord progressions—moving from root positions to inversions and experimenting with octaves in the left hand. I’m also continuing work on "Sea Song" and the opening of Beethoven’s "Moonlight" Sonata. The contents of this podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy, but these show notes were created by me, Google Gemini.Send me a text message. You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

    17 min

  4. FEB 22

    Episode 87 - All By Myself

    Welcome to show eighty-seven! It’s a busy week catching up with an ex-student launching a music career and managing a packed choir schedule.  YouTube: Bardcore I explore "Bardcore" this week! Hildegard von Blingin' orchestrates modern songs with medieval instruments, while The Miracle Aligner translates hits into ancient languages like Latin and Attic Greek. https://www.youtube.com/@Hildegardvonblingin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7jOobdrdGohttps://www.youtube.com/@the_miracle_aligner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtt78SW-mgg Essay: All By Myself I contrast the intense, solitary focus of Yunchan Lim performing Bach with the collaborative joy of Clyde Lawrence learning a Toto song on YouTube. It made me realise how much more enjoyable practice is when shared, as I've recently discovered in my three-hour choir rehearsals. https://www.stage-plus.com/video/vod_concert_APNM8GRFDPHMASJKBSS3ICG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q105dgG2720 Review: All These Pretty Things I caught Tracey Yarad's fantastic one-woman show at the Blue Mountains Theatre. She weaves her inspiring life story with original piano music, supported by a great jazz and blues opening act from Mataya Young. https://www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au/what-s-on/past-events/2020-events/all-these-pretty-things-tracey-yarad/ Progress I'm refining chord progressions, "Sea Song," and "Moonlight" Sonata. I've also added Monday voice lessons to my routine!  Contact me at david@pianofinally.show.  The contents of the podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy, but these show notes were created by Gemini. Send me a text message. You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

    17 min

  5. FEB 15

    Episode 86 - The Entertainer

    G'day everyone. Welcome to show number eighty-six. If you're a regular listener, thanks for your support, and if you're new here, I hope you enjoy the show. This week, things have taken a vocal turn. Following my enjoyment of the Belong choir, I've signed up for another community choir—one that didn't require an audition! I've found myself in the bass section, managing up to middle C for now. It's proving to be great fun and an unexpected detour on my musical journey. YouTube - Stefan Wyatt - How to play ornaments on the piano Ornaments seem to be in the air lately. Stefan Wyatt recently posted a video on his "Piano Tips" channel that is distinct from Matthew Cawood's recent coverage. Stefan’s approach is practical, based on his beginner's course, and offers clear explanations of grace notes (appoggiaturas vs.acciaccaturas), mordents, turns, and trills. He also clarifies a point about accidentals and trills that was new to me. It is a great introduction for beginner and intermediate players.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxXgEUE5xm0 Essay - The Entertainer My new choir is rehearsing for a full concert in July. While listening to practice tracks for "Pink Pony Club" by Chappell Roan, I fell down a YouTube rabbit hole of cover versions.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR3Liudev18 Despite the lack of financial incentive in covering songs, people do it for the sheer joy of performing and sharing. This reinforces my belief that live performance has nothing to fear from AI. Whether it’s 120 people in a choir entertaining each other or a solo pianist, the goal is to be the entertainer. That desire to share our love of music is what gets us through the endless Czerny exercises and scales. Review - Sydney Theatre Company - The Normal Heart Theatre is back for 2026! I caught Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart" at the Sydney Theatre Company. Set in mid-1980s New York, this production in the Drama Theatre was excellent. It featured live musicians on stage—Michael Griffiths on piano and Rowena McNeish on cello—which was a lovely touch. It is an important story and a great production well worth seeing.https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/whats-on/productions/2026/the-normal-heart Closing Things are settling into a rhythm with lessons and rehearsals. If you are learning an instrument, I'd love to hear how you are managing your time and what pieces you are enjoying. You can contact me at david@pianofinally.show or visit the website at www.pianofinally.show. Until next week, I hope your piano stays in tune, and you enjoy your time at the keys. The contents of this podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy. These show notes were created by Gemini Send me a text message. You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

    14 min

  6. FEB 8

    Episode 85 - Year Two

    G'day, everyone! Welcome to show number eighty-five. It was in January 2024 that I finally picked up a keyboard to start learning the piano. That means I've officially passed the two-year mark! I’m not organised enough to know the exact date,but looking back, deciding to learn the piano after sixty was undoubtedly a great decision. Podcast Review: The Music Show I recently rediscovered "The Music Show" on ABC Radio National, hosted by Dr Andrew Ford. I was reminded of it after hearing Andrew on another podcast discussing Stravinsky’s "The Rite of Spring." "The Music Show" is a fantastic program that covers every conceivable genre. Recent episodes have featured guests ranging from Neil and Tim Finn of "Split Enz" to Ursula Yovich singing Nina Simone, and topics like the role of the bazouki in Irish Folk Music. Andrew’s relaxed and informed style makes it a permanent part of my listening rotation.https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/musicshow Essay: Year Two Reflecting on two years of learning, I realised that while my technical progress is roughly where I expected—moving into Grade One pieces and passing theory exams—the real value has been the experiences along the way. Deciding to learn the piano has opened doors I didn't anticipate. It led to a subscription to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, attending jazz concerts with my teacher Devi, and even singing in front of a thousand people with the Belong choir. For Year Three, I’m planning more theatre, more concerts, and perhaps joining a choir permanently. Review: David Bennett's new channel Just as I was finalising this week's show, I saw that David Bennett has launched a new interview channel and podcast called "How do you do?". He speaks with other creators, and given the quality of his existing work, this is definitely worth checking out.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVDanqrFSHgX-hlqFs4AZ7w Progress In my lessons with Devi, we are shifting focus slightly towards modern and pop music. I’ve started working on a chord progression in A minor, practicing smooth transitions between root position chords. It’s a new challenge,especially the sevenths in the left hand! I’m also continuing with "Sea Song" and the "Moonlight" Sonata. The music was recorded using the Kawai NV10, Cubase 15 on a Mac Mini, and Pianoteq 9 emulating a Shigeru Kawai SK-EX grand piano. If you'd like to get in touch, email me at david@pianofinally.show. The contents of the podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy, but these show notes were created by Gemini. Send me a text message. You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

    15 min

  7. FEB 1

    Episode 84 - Say “Yes"

    G'day, everyone! Welcome to show number eighty-four. The holidays are officially over, and we are back into the swing of things at school. It’s been a busy week of planning and welcoming new classes, but it's always nice to have a fresh start. Follow-up: Amazon Returns Last week, I mentioned receiving some dubious print-on-demand music books from Amazon. I’m happy to report that the return process was incredibly simple, and the refund was processed almost immediately. I still haven't found the proper copyright owners to notify them, but I’ll keep looking. YouTube Review: The story of Vigil: Belong This week’s video recommendation is a special one because, if you squint, you might just spot me! The Sydney Festival has released a video about the Vigil: Belong performance. It features interviews with Nardi Simpson and clips from the rehearsals and the performance itself. It’s a beautiful summary of the event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjp-LNCHDKQ Essay: Say "Yes" Reflecting on my recent experience with the Belong Choir, I realised that none of it would have happened if I hadn't simply said "Yes." As we get older, it's easy to stick to the comfortable and predictable, but opportunities for growth and fun usually lie just outside that comfort zone. From filling out an expression of interest form on a whim to singing in front of a thousand people, saying "Yes" has been the best strategy for 2026 so far.  Review: Megalong Music Festival I received an email about the upcoming Megalong Music Festival, held in the picturesque Megalong Valley in the Blue Mountains. I attended last year, and it was fantastic. This year's program for Easter Saturday and Sunday looks incredibly varied, featuring music from Hayden to Pärt. With performers like Jacqui Cronin, Timothy Nankervis, and Ieva Jokubaviciute, it’s definitely worth the drive. https://www.megalongmusicfestival.com.au/ Progress Piano lessons resume this week! Over the break, practice was a bit sparse, but I’ve been enjoying "Sea Song," which has just the right amount of complexity. I’m also making decent headway with the "Moonlight" Sonata. "Trumpet Tune" and "A Wild Chase" are still in the works, and I'll update you on those when I've made more progress.  If you'd like to get in touch, email me at david@pianofinally.show. The contents of the podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy, but these show notes were created by Gemini. Send me a text message. You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

    15 min

  8. JAN 26

    Episode 83 - Who’s Listening

    G'day, everyone! Welcome to show number eighty-three. I’m writing this week's show from a slightly different location:under the shade of a Eucalypt tree at the Stargazer Lawn in Barangaroo. It is the day of the dress rehearsal for the Belong Choir's performance at the Sydney Festival Vigil. The atmosphere is buzzing with activity as chairs are set up and the area is taped off. It’s been a busy weekend, but a privilege to be part of such a special event. YouTube Review: Three Elton John Songs for Beginners Coincidentally, just as I decided to look into learning some Billy Joel and Elton John music, a video popped up from the London School of Contemporary Piano featuring Tom Donald. Tom breaks down "Your Song," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," and "Sacrifice" as a way to teach chords. He moves from simple root position chords to more complex progressions and arpeggiation. It’s a great resource if you want to understand the structure behind these iconic tracks.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPm05-5KBz0 Essay: Who's listening? Inspired by a video from David Bennett, I’ve been thinking about Artificial Intelligence in music. While AI might inevitably take over "unimportant" music—like the hold music I used to license for my scuba shop—I believe there will always be a place for "important" music where listeners crave a human connection. We want to know the stories behind the songs, whether it’s Taylor Swift’s romances or Mozart’s final days.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrcUJI197Vs Review: Billy Joel and Elton John sheet music I recently purchased two sheet music collections from Amazon to expand my repertoire. Unfortunately, upon arrival, I discovered they were print-on-demand books manufactured by Amazon with absolutely no publisher details or copyright acknowledgements. I don't believe people should profit from the work of others without proper compensation, so I’m sending them back. A warning to be careful when buying music online! Progress Practice has been a bit spotty this week due to holiday tasks like writing school programs and tidying the house."Sea Song" is coming along bit-by-bit. regarding "A Wild Chase," I’ve made an executive decision to ignore the "As fast as you can" instruction. I’m going to play it at a speed where the notes actually sound musical rather than just noise. Work also continues on "Trumpet Tune" and memorising the chord progressions for the "Moonlight" Sonata. If you'd like to get in touch, you can contact me at david@pianofinally.show. The contents of the podcast were entirely generated by David Reidy, but these show notes were created by Gemini. Send me a text message. You can contact me: via email at david@pianofinally.show; this is probably the best option the show website, www.pianofinally.show Instagram and Threads @pianofinally and on YouTube all the podcast directories - list here's the RSS feed Some of the links to books and other items mentioned in the podcast may affiliate links for Amazon or other providers. If you use one of these links, a commission may be paid to me at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use a link. All reviews of products, websites and services are unpaid, and no sponsorship has been received for any content on this podcast.

    19 min
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About

Piano Finally is a podcast by an old bloke who is learning the piano, finally. I cover the process of learning the piano and music theory as an adult learner. I also review piano books, hardware and other materials from an adult learner's perspective.

Information

  • Creator
    David Reidy
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 David Reidy
  • Show Website
    Piano, finally